Health chiefs say a change in the law could have a beneficial impact on the treatment of time-critical and life-threatening conditions, as well as reducing visits to hospitals and general practices

Emergency nurses have welcomed new laws allowing advanced paramedics to prescribe drugs as an opportunity to improve care for patients. The legislation, which came into effect on 1 April, will speed up access to treatment and prevent unnecessary visits to overstretched emergency departments (EDs) and general practices, NHS England says. It means advanced paramedics visiting patients’ homes and working in EDs or general practices will be able to prescribe medication in the same way that nurse prescribers can.